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February 1, 2012

IDLI PODI RECIPE / GUN POWDER

When i saw this recipe in Viki’s kitchen , i immediately tried it on the same day. It was very flavourful and tasted xcellent for idly / dosa.It tastes like the idly podi we make with sesame seeds.I made some little changes according to my husband’s liking. I should say its really a healthy idly podi as it contains horsegram and flax seeds. Wat more to say , lets go on to the recipe ,

INGREDIENTS

White round Urad dal – 1/4 CUP

Channa dal – 1/4 cup

Flax seeds – 1 fistful or 2 tbsp

Horsegram – 1/4 cup

Red chillies - 10-15 nos or less..

Hing / Asafetida – 2 pinches

Garlic cloves – 5 – 7 cloves (Optional , only for garlic lovers )

Salt – As needed.

Curry leaves – a few

METHOD

In a kadai , roast all the ingredients except salt & garlic given above adding a tsp of oil.

She told to roast one by one for uniform roasting but i did everything at the same time.

Roast till the flaxseeds start to pop. Also u’ll get a nice aroma and color change of all the dals.

Add the curry leaves at the end and toss for few minutes. Then switch off the flame. Please make sure no ingredient gets burnt. That totally changes the taste.

Once it cools down run it in mixie twice .Now add the chopped garlic pieces and the required salt.

If u want to make the same for rice, add more chillies and little pepper corns too.Mix with ghee and plain rice..

I’ve added equal quantity of urad and channa dal as i always want the flavor of urad dal in my idly podi. But the actual recipe dint call for urad dal . She had used only channa dal.

My husband loves the garlic flavor in idly podi. So i added garlic cloves at the end , But its optional. U can add 2-3 pinches of hing while roasting instead of garlic..

KITCHEN CLINIC

FLAX SEEDS
It may be tiny, but it’s mighty: The flax seed carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains, while the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids in flax leaves grains in the dust.
Additionally, flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fiber content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance -- many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied.

Flax Seed Nutrition

Yes, flax seed is high in most of the B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese, but this little seed is just getting started. There are three additional nutrient groups which flax seed has in abundance, and each has many benefits.Flax Seed is Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Mounting evidence shows that inflammation plays a part in many chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers. This inflammation is enhanced by having too little Omega-3 intake (such as in fish, flax, and walnuts), especially in relation to Omega-6 fatty acid intake (in oils such as soy and corn oil). In the quest to equalize the ratio of these two kinds of oils, flax seed can be a real help.Most of the oil in flax seeds is alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an Omega-3 that is a precursor to the fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty cold-water fish (called EPA and DHA). Because not everyone is able to easily convert ALA into EPA and (especially) DHA, it is best not to rely solely on flax for your Omega-3 intake. However, ALA also has good effects of its own, and definitely helps in the Omega 3/6 balance.Flax Seed is High in Fiber: You’d be hard-pressed to find a food higher in fiber -- both solubleand insoluble -- than flax. This fiber is probably mainly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax. Fiber in the diet also helps stabilize blood sugar, and, of course, promotes proper functioning of the intestines.Flax Seed is High in Phytochemicals: Flax seed is high in phytochemicals, including many antioxidants. It is perhaps our best source of lignans, which convert in our intestines to substances that tend to balance female hormones. There is evidence that lignans may promote fertility, reduce peri-menopausal symptoms, and possibly help prevent breast cancer. In addition, lignans may help prevent Type 2 diabetes.Note that a) flax seeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available (otherwise they just “pass through”) and b) flax seed oil alone contains neither the fiber nor the phytochemicals of whole flax seed meal.

Flax Seed Safety and Side Effects

Concerns about flax seed revolve around four potential issues. However, remember that a lot of research about the wonders of flax show little or no problems from eating it –- to the contrary, it has shown many benefits. Big Fiber Load: Since flax has such a high fiber content, it's best to start with a small amount and increase slowly; otherwise, cramping and a "laxative effect" can result. People withirritable bowel syndrome may have an especially strong reaction to it, and should be extra-careful.

Oxidation/Rancidity: The oil in flax is highly unsaturated. This means that it is very prone to oxidation (rancidity) unless it is stored correctly. The very best way is nature’s own storage system –- within the seed. Flax seeds not exposed to large amounts of heat stay safe to eat for at least a year. However, flax meal, and especially flax oil, are a different story. The meal, stored away from heat and light, will keep fresh for a few months, and the oil must be protected by refrigeration in dark containers, preferably being consumed within a few weeks of opening.Actually, the surprising thing about flax is not that the oils go rancid, but that they don’t go rancid as quickly as we would think, considering how unsaturated they are. The oils are quite stable when the seeds are used in baked foods, for example. Researchers theorize that this is due to the high levels of antioxidants in the seeds.Hormonal Effects: Lignans contain phytoestrogens. Although research has shown them to be beneficial so far, it is unknown what effect high doses of phytoestrogens might have.Cyanide: Like many other foods (cashews, some beans, and others), flax contains very small amounts of cyanide compounds, especially when consumed raw. Heat, especially on dry flax seeds, breaks these compounds down. However, our bodies have a capacity to neutralize a certain amount of these compounds, and the U.S. government agencies say that 2 tablespoons of flaxseed (~3 T of flax meal) is certainly safe and is probably an “effective dose” for health purposes. Various researchers who have used up to 6 daily tablespoons of the seed in different studies indicate that the amount they were using was safe.

Flax Seed Storage

Whole flax seed should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Many people choose to store it in the refrigerator or freezer to be on the safe side. Flax meal should be stored in the freezer and used up within a few weeks. Tips for Using Flax Seed

Drink plenty of water. There is so much soluble fiber in flax that it is important to drink plenty of water when eating flax products, otherwise constipation may result.

Remember to start slowly if you aren’t used to a high-fiber diet.

If you purchase the whole seeds, you need to grind them up to get the benefit.

Flax is often used as an egg substitute in baked goods for people who can’t or choose not to eat eggs. This is because of the soluble fiber, which adds structure to the food.

Dear Chitra, I like the way you presented the podi. Seems so flavorful. Thanks for trying mine:) Info on flax seeds is excellent....thanks again, Now I want to add a tbsp of flax powder in all my poriyals before switching off. Keep rocking dear!

Thank you Chitra for your visit n comments on my little space which lead me to this wonderful blog of yours. I'm ur new follower and hope you'll join me back and encourage me more with ur valuable comments :)

Flax seeds and chia seeds are also great sources for Omega 3. The benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds are many. Both flax seed and chia seeds contain fiber, Omega-3 and lignans. This helps lower cholesterol and can also benefit people at risk for diabetes by regulating blood sugar by slowing down the body's absorption of sugar. Flax seed and chia seeds are also both great sources for antioxidants.